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Medicinal Mushrooms - Nature's Immune System Boosters

Mushrooms that have health benefits in human use are called medicinal mushrooms. There are quite many different species of them. Most used and researched ones are Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom), Lentinula edodes (Shiitake mushroom) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom).

These have been used for thousands of years by people all over the world but especially by people in Asia. In fact some of them were thought to be very valuable. It is no wonder that there is a lot of ongoing study and research about medicinal mushrooms and their extracts.

Fungi as mushrooms are also know, can live on soil, a dead matter or in symbiotic mode with plants. These conditions require fungi to develop strong anti-pathogenic properties. It's these same properties that make mushrooms so valuable as a medicine. The main health benefit in most medicinal mushrooms is immune system boosting ability. This is quite useful even if you are totally healthy but especially when you are sick. Strong immune system can fight infections and viruses. Other health benefits include effects to blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol. Some mushrooms can even be used to lose weight.

The most interesting health benefit of medicinal mushrooms is they anti-cancer and anti-tumor effects. Studies have shown that some mushroom can prevent and kill cancer cells. In some parts of Asia mushroom extracts are being used with chemotherapy treatments. In addition many mushrooms are rich in vitamins, fiber and amino acid and don't have much fat or cholesterol.

The miracle compound in mushrooms is inside bioactive polysaccharides. It is called beta-glucan and some researchers consider it to be one of the strongest immunity booster substances. Over 40 years of study and 1,600 published research papers make this compound very well documented. Beta-glucan is external immunomodulator that changes immune systems reaction to threats.

Medicinal mushrooms can help people who suffer with diabetes, hypertension, kidney or liver problems, heart problems and of course cancer. Certainly healthy people without any illnesses can also benefit from the effects. Because the mushrooms improve immune system naturally and safely.

If you want to enhance your immunity system, you have an illness that you want to treat or if you just want a natural dietary supplement, you could try medicinal mushroom extracts. Even though most of the medicinal mushrooms are safe and without side effects, you should always talk with a healthcare professional before starting any sort of medication.